Day 15 - How to make Salat a daily priority
โThe first thing the people will be accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer. Allah will say to His angels (even though He already knows): โLook at my servantโs prayers. Were they complete or not?โ If they were complete, it will be written as complete. If they were not fully complete Allah will say: โSee if my servant has voluntary prayersโ. If he has them, Allah will say: โComplete his obligatory prayers shortage with his voluntary prayers.โ Then the rest of his deeds will be dealt with in the same manner.โ (Ahmad)
As a Muslim, it is obligatory for you to pray 5 times a day, 5 minutes for 5 prayers. That is only 25 minutes of your entire day.ย Yet, somehow some of us still find excuses to delay prayer or not pray at all.ย We get too caught up in the realms of this dunya and easily forget the fact that it is only temporary. We must remember that the only thing that will stay with us forever, is how much attention we gave towards Allah (swt) and his commands.ย
Start by integrating prayer times in your everyday schedules. There are also many helpful apps like Muslim Pro, that will remind you of prayer throughout the day. Not only does the app remind you of prayer, but it also has a qibla compass, so no matter where you are, you will know in which direction to pray! Even if you are unable to pray at the exact time the prayer begins, there is still a window of time in which you are to complete when you can. There is honestly no good excuse for missing prayer.ย It will be easier to make salat a priority once you truly understand how important it is. Imagine you are speaking to Allah (swt) 5 times a day. You can speak to Him for as long as you want, as you thank him, ask him for guidance, and simply reflect on your actions throughout the day. You are the closest to Allah (swt) when you are in Sajdah. The closest you could ever be as you reside in the dunya. Do you understand now?
It is understood that suddenly aiming to pray all 5 prayers can be difficult and that's okay! Allah (swt) is understanding and He will see your effort, all you have to do is try. Start lightly and continue to build onto yourself until you've been able to meet all 5. Create a chart and set goals for yourself. Just like any other goal in life, don't forget to make salat a daily goal. Once you begin to actuallyย make time for salat throughout your day, you will soon realize how easy it is.ย It also helps to have a great group of friends that will remind each other about prayer. No friend is better than the one that will bring you closer to Allah (swt)
Benefits of Salat:
Spiritual
Achieving success in this life and the hereafter
Balancing daily life and religion
Interrupting your daily routine five times to relax and purifying your mind and heart
ย Practicing patience, humility and sincerity
Expressing thankfulness
Physical
Prayer is an excellent way of exercising during the day.
Chances of getting arthritis are less likely, because you exercise your bones and joints
Reduces cholesterol
Prevents indigestion (in the morning when you have not eaten yet, you have to pray less Rakโaat as in the evening where you have to pray more Rakโaat after dinner)
Boosts the supply of blood to the brain, when in sajdah (position where you touch the ground with your forehead)
Those who pray five times a day will be different from those who do not. โHow can you continue to commit the same sins if youโre standing before Allah (swt) 5 times a day?โ
